I've been studying like every second day my physiology. In class lecture is so freaking stupid because shes just reading us powerpoints which we have access to. I also have access to practice quizzes and text book.
So far like every second day or more often I have been going over the terms, trying to remember and retain it. Today she gave us a practice quiz online that shows your mark when your done. I got a 63% with the internet for help!! GOD I HATE MYSELF SO MUCH RIGHT NOW!! I WISH I COULD BE SMARTER!!! HOW COULD I HAVE GONE THROUGH ALL THIS JUST TO FAIL MY CLASSES????
I dont understand why i try so hard and get such ****** marks!!!
I don't know what else i should be doing to do well. I have a midterm october 3rd!! If I fail I don't know what I will do to myself because if I don't have nursing I have nothing else going for me!!
Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
My daughter used the coloring books mentioned by Grn Tea when she took anatomy and physiology for her PT program. They were a huge help to her. Wouldn't hurt and perhaps you'll learn more about what works best for your learning style. Not that they will change the way the class is done, but as a guide to use for outside materials. Best wishes!
Physiology is a massive subject with so many things to take in, I am a little luckier as I've always been a great exam person.
But there are some things I always did before exams. Seeing as you have the ability to take practice quizzes. I'd write down every question in the online quizz, then sit down and research each answer and write it out. It's funny but the process of writing out an answer a couple of times really helps cement it in your mind. Then repeat the quizz online and see how you go with the answers. Any questions you struggle with repeat the research and writing out. Keep doing this until you have majority of the answers in your mind so can answer those questions if they occur again.
Also for certain things I'd do some route/copy techniques. Example for questions on the heart it used to frazzle me as I'd mess up directions/actions/names. So I practiced drawing the heart over and over with the boxes for chambers and direction arrows for blood flow, then names of valves, what was happening etc. with oxygen exchange. I'd draw that easily 10+ times and immediately when I sat down in the exam I'd draw out the heart on the scrap paper/exam paper in pencil, the image embedded into my brain. So when any questions on the heart came up I'd look at the image I'd drawn to help myself gather the right answers (>.
Silly songs or verses, shortened versions helped me too.
Example for Mitosis I'd remember:
IPMAT = I nterphase, P rophase, M etaphase, A naphase, T elophase.
Sounds stupid but having such a short mind jogger really can help you out in an exam.
It's things like this I'd jot down in the exam if my brain is overcrowded to help me if it came up.
Other things I always did in an exam is:
*Read as much as you can the night before, for me I'd read the entire study guide (just reading not focusing on remembering at that point).
*Eat plenty of carbohydrates before the exam.
*Sit and read the entire exam before starting (lets the questions enter your mind)
*If stuck on a question for more than a couple of minutes put an asterix next to it and keep going. Then at the end go back and refocus on those questions (It's ridiculous to waste time in an exam on a question you're stuck on if you can complete others with no worries, you don't want to run out of time. Also during all that time working on other questions your subconcious has some time to work on them and you'll often find them easier when you go back. Like how if you have a problem/question you often think of the answer ages later randomly, like when watching tv or when in bed at night.)
I don't know if any of the things that helped me can help you, we all think differently but I wish you all the best :)
Have you joined a study group? If not, start one! Meet on campus and study. If you get a serious group of people who really want to learn, it's fantastic! Also, try teaching the material to someone else. I spent hours "teaching" the bones to my little one. Just saying it outloud, even to yourself, makes the information stick better.
hey gang. Thanks for some of the helpful responces. I did everything except the coloring book (because phyisio is seperate from anatomy in my course) and creating silly songs. The little study group i went with was only once... the room we went to had to be quiet so we really didnt get to make good use of the time. I did work my butt off and I think I choked on my exam... I guess we shall see...
I talked with a few girls after class and talked to my student advisor. Everyone keeps telling me I'll probably be ok. I hope so... I'm not concerned about high grades... just passing. I know its the practical stuff that counts so... yeah thanks for your kind words everyone!
My advice to help with studying and retaining the material..
1. Read the assigned chapters that the test covers well before the test. Hopefully a week before; at least 4 days before. That way you can spend at minimum the 4 days before the test reviewing the things you have already read. Highlight the main points (as they pertain to what class you are in) as you read.
2. After you have read the chapters, go back and re-read what you highlighted. If something stands out to me as being really important, I repeat it out loud to myself over and over (usually about 20 times) until I can recite it verbatim without looking at the page (ie signs and symptoms, adverse effects, etc depending on the class you are in) once you have had a test or two the things that are important to know should stand out, i.e. what is usually test material. Use pneumonics when possible!!
3. Use a dry erase board. I use mine to give "pretend lectures". I verbally review the main points and use the dry erase board to teach/review the main points from memory and talk about the material as if I was teaching it to a class.
4. Find a study group if possible. But make sure they are as serious as you are so it isn't a waste of your time! Also utilize free tutoring at your school if available.
Best of luck!
(Please forgive my spelling and grammar errors. On my iphone)
I don't do well when the instructor just reads powerpoint slides. I have to mentally process the lecture while taking notes. I do especially badly when I'm taking notes on the preprinted powerpoint pages. Try taking your own notes while she is "lecturing." I honestly think it's really lazy to read slides to the class. You're perfectly capable of doing that on your own. I tend to learn best when I actively do something like taking notes. You need to figure out what works best for you and make adjustments to your study routine.
I don't do well when the instructor just reads powerpoint slides. I have to mentally process the lecture while taking notes. I do especially badly when I'm taking notes on the preprinted powerpoint pages. Try taking your own notes while she is "lecturing." I honestly think it's really lazy to read slides to the class. You're perfectly capable of doing that on your own. I tend to learn best when I actively do something like taking notes. You need to figure out what works best for you and make adjustments to your study routine.
I have been mildly complaining about this all semester! We have one instructor who spends lecture reading her powerpoints out loud. Not only is it completely disengaging for me, but that's not really my idea of "lecturing. Why exactly do I need to come to class if you're just going to have circle time and read out Lloyd? I can read to myself and it sure wont take 3 hours for me to do so.
I would seriously stop coming to class on those days if I wasn't afraid I'd miss something for once.
I do quiz key cards, for labeling I slide a pic into a sheet protector use a dry erase & do it over & over till I get it. Make mock tests from things you read, read your book til it clicks. Take the answers you get wrong on practice quizzes and make study guides & flashcards, if you have an iPhone listen to your flash cards in the car
Dezy
130 Posts
*sigh ok ok no one likes a whiner but does anyone have any advice.